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by LarryA2J from Hazelwood MO

Last Post 20 hours Ago


Was That The Last Time I Will See You?
Aug 4, 2008 | 6:45 AM
Category: Faith
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 Was it? Did I leave you happy, upset, angry, elated, or just leave you? Did we share memories or make new ones? Did we plan to get together again? Did we break a friendship? Did we say some things we wish we had not? Did we make promises we never had a chance to fulfill? The last time I saw my childhood best friend was at his dad’s funeral, we tried to get together for lunch and catch-up on old times but schedules would not permit it. He was killed in an auto accident a few months later. If I had known that was the last time I would see him I would have done more. One of my favorite customers at work died from cancer. What impression did I leave on her the last time I would see her? I hope it was as a friend. We would chat across the counter when she would mail a letter or two. I never knew she was dying. If only I had known that was the last time I would see her, would I have been nicer? Talked longer? I was at work and there were other customers to wait on. My favorite uncle and I would always play Checkers and I would never win. Growing up families would get together once a month to celebrate birthdays, holidays or special events. We played and played and he would win. I never got upset because I was learning. As we got older the gatherings became less frequent. Time marches on. My uncle passed away and I really don’t remember the last time I saw him. I should have kept in touch. I should have written or called. I should have done something. All my older relatives are gone, except one aunt in her eighties. Why did our family drift apart over the years? What happened to the celebrations? Time is the culprit. We all got to busy with kids, work, hobbies, sports or any number of things. There are so many more things to cram in a day that family usually gets pushed away. Think of your family and ask, “Was that the last time I will see you?” I think of all the members of my church family that have come and gone over the years. Did I do enough to keep in touch? Did I do my part? Some told us they were leaving and we said our goodbyes, hugs all around. Others just stopped coming to our church, just faded away. Did we even notice? Was that the last time I shall see you? I think of all the people I’ve come to know over the years, Craig, Jim, Debbie, Pat, Mark, Andrea, Tom, Elizabeth, Richie, Mike, Joanne, Bob, George, Linda, Mary, Barb, the list goes on and on. Each of these I consider dear friends and yet they are just memories. I just ask myself when I think of them, was that the last time I shall see you? Take time today to reflect on your life, your friendships. Is there anybody you can think of? People come and go in our lives everyday. I hope I made a lasting good impression of each and everyone. When I say goodbye I wonder - Was that the last time I shall see you?

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dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Aug 6, 2008 | 3:52 AM

When my children were growing up, I made sure that the last thing I said to them as they went out the door was I LOVE YOU. My son was murdered in 2001, at the age of 29 and the last thing I said to him that morning was I Love You, Jas. I am so blessed that I have that memory. When my mother passed she had been in the hospital for about a month, I was very fortunate that I was able to be with her every day at the hospital and again I was able to tell her I loved her right before she passed. My dearest and closest friend of 20 years died in 2005 of breast cancer, she had moved to Virginia to be with her daughter, I spoke with her the day before she died, and again I was able to tell her how much she meant to me, and that I loved her. There is such peace in grieving when you have these memories.
Since Junett passed I have a tendency to do exactly what you describe in your blog, but a friend of mine brought me out of it by 1 simple e=mail.
She and I had worked together a few years ago and had kept in touch - her more than me. She would e-mail me, or call me and depending on my mood I may or may not respond; nothing to do with her, I would be busy or not feeling well, or just didn't feel like it.
We did not know each other when my son was murdered, we met about a year later, this year on the day that marked his murder, I received an e-mail from her saying that she knew it was a rough time for me and she was keeping me in her prayers. Not only did she remember a date that I honestly don't expect anyone but family to remember, she did it while dealing with Parkinson's and
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Aug 6, 2008 | 4:00 AM

a husband that had a severe heart attack and several strokes in the past year. She took my breath away with that e-mail. I was so ashamed
I immediately contacted her, and by the end of the week I had contacted all those friends that I had promised to call or write, but never did. I can proudly say we keep in touch by e-mail or phone at least once a week now.
I used to work retail, I know how it is to wait on someone, and hear that they died the next day, and I would wonder, was I nice to them? Did I smile, and let them know I was glad to see them?

My friend taught me to take the time, even if all you do is say HI or I'm thinking of you.
Wildredneck read my blog view my photos
Aug 11, 2008 | 11:33 PM

When I was going on 12 i guess may 4th 1997 to be exsact we where all in chicago because we knew my uncle jack was dying of cancer we were there for a few days & my last memory is rubbing his feet on the couch he was laying they brung him a hospital bed in his house where he died at home he was wearing a little irish cap when he died & in the casket my mom gave it to him that evening i love & sorelly mrs my uncle jack
Wildredneck read my blog view my photos
Aug 11, 2008 | 11:35 PM

Thursday was my B-day i took my build a bear teddy named after & dressed like him & talked to him (he played soccer @ SIUE GO COUGARS)
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Aug 12, 2008 | 4:35 AM

Wildredneck, I am sorry about your Uncle Jack. I am sure you do miss him. I bet he liked you rubbing his feet.

Happy Birthday, Wildredneck!
SikUvTheRite read my blog
Aug 15, 2008 | 12:35 PM

This is a VERY poignant blog. Excellent writing from the heart, thank you.

I normally only respond to political blogs, but this one touched me. We all do it. We see people, old friends, family - we SAY we will get together, then we never do. And we never see them again, sometimes.

It's so sad that once you get on in life a bit, toward middle age, you only see friends and relatives at funerals. I just saw one of my best friends of all times back in the seventies and eighties at a funeral for his dad. We got together several weeks later - oh, we're going to do this and going to do that. Time marches on, and our lives go on, and now it's been almost a year and we haven't gotten together since.

dwheeler, so sorry to hear of your son, but your story reminds us all we need to tell those we love how we feel - every day.

Nothing is more important than the people with whom you have shared life and love. Get in touch with them, touch them, now. Your blog was a motivator - I've learned the lesson for today. Thank you very much!
CFox1689 read my blog view my photos
Sep 5, 2008 | 4:03 PM

I'm also very touched by this blog, it truly came from the heart I could tell.
My family is also bad about doing that, saying we will all get together and then time passes with no word. It truly makes you think about calling everyone close to you instantly and telling them you love them.
I to this day tell my mom & boyfriend everyday before I leave or get off the phone that I love them. I would only want to remember the good memories. I also learned to never leave mad because that could only make it worse.
My friend died May 5 & her birthday was just 2 days before, I thought about telling her happy bday but I went to work & forgot, I never got to tell her. But I think she knows she means the world to me.
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